Senior Research Analyst-Assessment

College of Lake County Foundation • Grayslake, IL

2d

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Planning and Research, the Senior Research Analyst, Assessment is responsible for managing and supporting the college’s assessment efforts including but not limited to: managing the college’s non-academic departmental review process, supporting the college’s academic department review and learning outcome assessment processes, and reporting the college’s progress toward meeting its strategic goals. The Senior Research Analyst will work in a collaborative environment in support of fulfilling IEPR’s mission.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in statistics, education, social sciences, or related field.
• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in educational, social, or market research.
• Experience designing and conducting qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods assessment studies in higher education.
• Knowledge of assessment principles and development of tools (e.g., surveys, focus groups, rubrics).
• Advanced proficiency in descriptive and inferential statistics; experience with SPSS or similar software and large datasets.
• Experience presenting research findings to diverse audiences using data visualization and storytelling.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365; familiarity with student information systems (e.g., PeopleSoft or Workday) and database queries.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution.
• Five or more years of relevant career experience.
• Engagement in professional scholarly associations or other evidence of continued professional development.
• Professional experience in educational/institutional research in higher education.
• Prior experience in a community college setting.
• Familiarity with Illinois Community College System (ICCB) reporting requirements and processes.
• Professional experience using survey tools (e.g., MSForms, Qualtrics or Survey Monkey)
• Demonstrated commitment to the College of Lake County mission and values.
• Bilingual in Spanish

Responsibilities

• Establish, maintain, and communicate standard procedures for institutional and program surveys.
• Responsible for supporting the process of identifying appropriate data sources and determining what data should be collected to effectively evaluate programs and student learning outcomes.
• Ensure that data collection strategies are aligned with assessment objectives and support meaningful evaluation and continuous improvement. Serve as strategic thought partner to college stakeholders by interpreting complex data into actionable insights, strengthening evidence-based decision-making and supporting the college's progress toward its strategic goals.
• Coordinate college-wide assessment and continuous improvement efforts, including the design and development of methodology for responding to ad hoc and recurring internal assessment requests.
• Oversee and conduct qualitative, quantitative, and mix-method research (e.g., surveys, focus groups, rubrics, etc.) to evaluate the effectiveness of programs, services, and initiatives across all areas of the college.
• Develop, document, maintain, and communicate department processes and practices that guide the production of assessment deliverables.
• Coordinate the department review process for non-academic departments and assist in the academic department review process.
• Oversee the college’s course evaluation process and system.
• Support the college’s curricular and co-curricular student learning outcome assessment efforts by compiling, synthesizing, and reporting on student learning outcome data through reports and data tools (e.g., dashboards).
• Provide guidance and training to Research Analysts in the application of IEPR processes and practices for the production of assessment deliverables.
• Respond to ad hoc data and research requests related to the assessment of program and initiative outcomes.
• Access and compile data from internal databases, data visualization tools and systems including Student Information Systems (e.g., Peoplesoft or Workday), Power BI, and CLC’s Data Warehouse; merge and manage large data sets.
• Conduct advanced descriptive and inferential statistical analyses using Microsoft Excel and/or SPSS.
• Perform quality assurance checks on assessment products by verifying accuracy of data and reports prior to delivery to college stakeholders.
• Develop appropriate data visualizations, written reports, and presentations to facilitate the interpretation of assessment findings across the college.
• Consult with and provide training to college stakeholders regarding assessment best practices, including research design, appropriate measures and statistical tools, development and maintenance of systems, and interpretation of assessment findings.
• Support program and institutional accreditation efforts by collaborating with stakeholders to document and report assessment outcomes.
• Represent the department on committees and commissions as needed.
• Collaborate with IEPR leadership on strategies to enhance departmental process and practices.
• Support IEPR leadership in activities related to compliance and planning functions of the department.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• competitive salary
• excellent benefits that includes Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois health, Delta Dental and Superior Vision insurance plans
• tuition support for employees and qualified family members
• three retirement plans
• disability
• group and supplemental life insurance
• health and dependent care flexible spending account plans
• a compressed work week in the summer (Closed Fridays!)
• generous vacation, sick and personal time off
• 14 paid holidays each year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level